Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic thin-crust Neapolitan style pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves baked to a perfect golden finish. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 24 minutes pairs pizza dough ball (12-inch), san marzano tomatoes, crushed, fresh mozzarella, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 9 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 500°F and place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet inside to heat for 45 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch 1 pizza dough ball into a 12-inch round about 1/4 inch thick, then lightly dust a pizza peel or flat baking sheet with 1 tbsp cornmeal and transfer the dough onto it.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt over the tomato sauce.
  4. Step 4: Distribute 6 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Slide pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 7-9 minutes until crust is puffed and golden and cheese is bubbly.
  6. Step 6: Remove pizza from oven, drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over top, scatter 10 fresh basil leaves, and let rest 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 24 minutes (15 min prep + 9 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pizza dough ball (12-inch) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Mangia Napoli-Inspired Neapolitan Margherita Pizza vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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